Electronic device in the form of a hands-free telephone system and/or a navigation device

The invention relates to an electronic device in the form of a hands-free telephone system and/or a navigation device, comprising a housing having a base part to which a display part is hinged such that it lies on the base part when folded so that the base part and the display part each have an outer side, and a display is located on the outer side of the display part.

Such a device is marketed under the name of “BURY CV 9040.” The base part is designed to fasten the device, preferably with a fastening frame, and can be fastened in a motor vehicle to the dashboard, sun visor, rearview mirror, the windshield, etc. The display part is mounted on the base part and can pivot a maximum of 90°. When it is fastened to a base essentially below head height such as the top of a dashboard, the display of the display part extends upward from the base part, whereas when it is fixed to the sun visor, windshield, rearview mirror, etc., it preferably extends downward. The device is designed with a corresponding position sensor that detects the alignment of the display part and automatically adapts the display so that the cited mounting options easily result. The known device is designed as a hands-free telephone system that communicates with a cell phone by means of a wireless short-range transmission device based on the Bluetooth standard and therefore makes it possible to carry on a telephone conversation via a speaker and microphone installed in this device. The device can be operated by means of a voice control or by a display designed as a touchscreen on the outer side of the display part. The device is provided with an independent power supply from a rechargeable battery.

The object of the present invention is to design such a device to increase its uses.

This problem is solved according to the invention by an electronic device of the above-mentioned kind in that the display part is mounted so as to be pivotable approximately 180° away from the base part, and a complete alphanumeric keyboard is affixed to the outer side of the base part.

Whereas the foldable design and position sensor of the known electronic device allow it to be fastened in different ways with the display remaining clearly visible on the outer side of the display part, the device according to the invention can be used in a completely different manner because the display part can be folded approximately 180° away from the base part; consequently, since the keyboard is arranged on the outer side of the base part, the keyboard can be positioned below the display on the outer side of the display part, and the device can be operated with a complete keyboard below the display. Accordingly, the electronic device can be easily used like a laptop, for example for entering schedule information, etc. when it is removed from its fastened position, for example in a motor vehicle, and used on a normal base such as a desk.

With the arrangement according to the invention, the device unusually bears a keyboard on the outer side of the base part so that the keyboard lies on the outer side when the device is folded. With laptops or similar devices such as the “Communicator” device by the telephone manufacturer Nokia, the keyboard is always on the inside of the base part of a foldable device and is therefore covered when the device is folded.

The embodiment according to the invention contrastingly enables the electronic device to be used like a laptop and as display device for a hands-free system or a navigation device by means of an attachment of the base part suitable for a motor vehicle.

The alphanumeric keyboard is preferably designed as a computer keyboard, especially a compact keyboard.

The design of the electronic device according to the invention is particularly advantageous when it is set up to wirelessly connect to a data network such as the Internet. With the complete keyboard, navigating and working with the data network is particularly easy and not subject to restrictions that, for example, result with an Internet- capable cell phone without the keyboard for reasons of space. When a cell phone is equipped with a keyboard (Nokia Communicator), there are substantial acceptance problems due to the required size of the cell phone.

The electronic device according to the invention is also preferably equipped with a wireless close-range transmission system for data and/or audio signals, especially based on the Bluetooth standard.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the display part can be unfolded up to a stop by approximately 180° relative to the base part. The stop provides a stable connection between the display part and base part in the direction of unfolding. When, in a preferred embodiment, the display part is provided with a support hinged to the display part that can pivot away from the display and can rest on a supporting surface, the device can be placed on the supporting surface in a stable arrangement unfolded up to the stop and positioned at an angle by the pivoted support which substantially improves the visibility of the display and ease of use.

The invention will be further explained in the following with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in unfolded position;

FIG. 2 A possible mounting position for the device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 A possible other mounting position for the device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 The device according to FIG. 1 in a folded state for transport;

FIG. 5 A front view of the device from FIG. 1 with a display and keyboard;

FIG. 6 A representation of the device from FIG. 2 with a display for touchscreen operation;

FIG. 7 A representation according to FIG. 6 of the device in the position from FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 A birds-eye view of the display when the device is positioned upright.

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Previous Patent Application:
Cellular phone with special sensor functions
Next Patent Application:
Interface for interaction with display visible from both sides
Industry Class:
Computer graphics processing, operator interface processing, and selective visual display systems

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